Murdochratic Oz

To borrow from Tanya Gold (Comment, 30 June), Australians need John Pilger's assessment of their media ownership crisis (Rupert and Gina's junta, 30 June) as much as British feminists do more female Tory MPs. Informed international comparison of the kind Alan Rusbridger provided (The overwhelming case for plurality, , 25 June) is welcome, as Australian media policymaking is tragically parochial. That's why Australians do need reports like Leveson's, especially if it fulfills the hope it may be the print equivalent of Pilkington or Annan. It takes considerable effort to overestimate Murdoch's Oz media influence but Pilger manages it. Why, when the truth is more than sufficient? And his setting aside of the benefits of ownership plurality rests on an obsolete portrayal of the Fairfax press. It's 2012, not 1960. Fairfax is far from perfect but much needed. It's not hard nowadays for grumpy expats to catch up. Paul JonesAssociate professor of media, University of New South Wales, Sydney